G28 Capitals @ Red Wings 7:00pm Sat Nov 30, 2019 NBCSWA, NHLN, FS-D

[Beaglefan2]

Good post, Beags.


 At the start of the season, I was really pulling for Ziggy to do well.  Through the first 15 to 20 games, I started to sour on the guy a bit.
No complaints with attitude or his effort level at all, just seeing a few too many mental errors, passing and zone clearing mistakes, etc. that didn’t lend itself to helping his cause!


But I tell you, for about the last 3 to 4 weeks, I’ve really noticed a incrementally increasing, and more COMPREHENSIVE improvement, in Siegenthaler’s defensive skills across-the-board!  Playing generally more responsible, clearing better, and even doing a little better along the boards!


 As far as Gudas goes, I had high hopes heading into the season for him already!  He has definitely exceeded expectations, and adds a very mature, decision-making, AND physical presence to his line! Very happy with Radko Gudas all around!!


Last year we often saw an experimental merry go round, shuffling 4th line forwards in and out of various games.
Boyd, Dowd, Smith-Pelly and Stephenson, (mainly), went through their fair share of “scratch-n-play”, throughout the season, obviously depending on what situation the coaches were dealing with.  In the first half of the season, you could almost see any combination of those fellas on the fourth line.


I just checked last years stats. Dowd and Stephenson each had 64 games. DSP and Boyd in the mid 50’s.
 Dowd had the most points, and best plus/minus of the four.  Both Stevenson and DSP were negative in plus/minus.


Stephenson has dropped a notch in my book, starting with the last half of last season.  He’s got a lot of speed, but he gets caught puck watching a lot, and is one of those guys, when skating on the ice, who chooses, TOO often, to cruise and glide, rather than keep his legs moving.
 This affects mainly his defensive abilities, As it causes him to lose those precious few milliseconds of reaction time, to start his legs going again!
 In Stephensons defense, once he does churn his legs, he has great acceleration, almost Hagelin-like, and sometimes it makes up for it.  Sometimes it doesn’t, and can cost us a simple puck  possession, or worse,  A high chance SOG!


With Dowd and Boyd, You get the same great effort level and hustling attitude from both guys!  I would say just the very slightest shooting accuracy would go to Boyd!
But Dowd has become an OUTSTANDING PK guy, and has scrappiness galore, both along the boards, AND, on his defensive side, is a good, play disrupter, against the opponent,


This is why I think Dowd will mostly stay at 4th line center/forward, over Boyd.  They are very close, mind you,  but when Backy, and Hagelin return, you’ll have two guys to sort out of the picture between, Panik, Stephenson, Boyd, Leipsic, Dowd, and Hathaway!


That Dowd, Leipsic, Hathaway, 4th line combo has shown to cause some real havoc on opponents when they’ve been together!!
They’ve mostly been an energized, gritty, hustling, thorn in the opponents side, especially when opponents start entry into our zone!  They get way more than their fair share of puck steals/possession changes!! The only knock on those three guys, would be a little more shot accuracy for production! (Hence, their 4th line placement)!  But for my money, I like ‘EM!!👍


 It’s going to get interesting here, when Backy and Hags return!
 It’s one of those GOOD problems for Rierden to have to deal with!


Rush

[4 Caps]

Reports are that Stevenson has been traded to Las Vegas.  No reports what Caps are getting in return. Probably a draft choice. 

[alta]

Reports are that Stevenson has been traded to Las Vegas.  No reports what Caps are getting in return. Probably a draft choice.

that's all they can fit under the cap right now

[PUCKNRUSH]

It appears that Stevenson is going to be placed on waivers as he was not on the ice this morning and with Hagelin returning from LTIR the Caps need to make a move.  Boyd was centering the 3rd line with Hagelin and Leipsic on the wings.  Backstrom apparently is still out although he no longer was wearing a non-contact jersey.

Always appreciative of your “inside scoops”, from practice, 4Caps!
 From what you’ve reported, it looks like they’re also keeping Eller at 2nd line center.  I’m guessing until Backstrom returns.
 At whatever point Nicky returns, I assume he’ll go back up the first line, and Kuzy will drop to second line with Vrana.
 I like Eller and Hagelin together on 3rd line! Paired with Leipsic or Hathaway, as either of those combinations, although not the heaviest production guys, ALL of them possess never-quit quickness, and can frustrate opponents in good measure,  ESPECIALLY during those fragile few seconds when, just prior to blue line entrance, into our zone, and our opponent is just beginning to try and set something up!!  That’s one of the big strenghts for our healthy third line!!
Thanks for the update!


Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

Stepho also has the problem of being the most expensive guy in that mix of Boyd/Dowd/Stepho at $800k/750k/1.05m respectively.


we are talking relative pennies in pro contracts with these figures, but with the Caps cap problem, relative pennies matter.


I've never been a big fan of Djoos, but I think his cap hit of 1.25m versus Ziggy's 710k is another nail in his NHL playing coffin.


I'd take Ziggy over Djoos at even money and think Ziggy really has improved this year and it's no contest for me.  Plus Ziggs has got some real size to him.


Go Caps

Good point on the salary stuff, Rich!
If Boyd and Dowd’s octane, both burn in the 89-92 range, all nite long, then Stephenson is just 87 regular!!😁


I’ve been slightly higher on Djoos, from my past posts, than most here.  Mainly, due to his hockey smarts and fairly good reliability in bringing up the puck!


Basically, I think Djoos, plays like, and totally understands factually, his size deficit, AND, that being blessed with good, athletic, size, is virtually a mandatory requirement for an NHL defenseman!


 The fact is, even when he wants to lay a good hit on someone,(and he does try), pure physics dictate  that his hits will be overwhelmingly less effective!  It’s just the nature of things!


Djoos uses a lot of his hockey energy, and intelligence, on overcoming, and making up for his career-long size problem. And honestly, he does a pretty damn good job at it!!  But it’s always ever present and not something you can practice harder, and it will go away!


 For these reasons, I fully believe Djoos to be a fully qualified NHL defenseman! But one that is sentenced to having to work harder, and be at his maximum, JUST  to be minimally acceptable, and do a decent job!


Ziggy, has much improved in the last few weeks, and it seems like he will continue to do so!!  That means for Ziggy’s career future, The sky is the limit for him.
 He has obviously stepped up. Some youngsters do that, but many do not! And HE IS!!


 Whereas, with Djoos,  although smarter and more experienced, we are probably witnessing his max abilities, day in and day out, and will probably never get to a stellar level! No problem!!


Ziggys play is heading north, has a higher degree of potential ahead of him, and has earned a chance to demonstrate what he can do!


 Therefore I think, at this point, Ziggy should be favored!! With Djoos dipping in, from time to time, or as the situation dictates!
Albeit, on a smaller level, another good decision making place for Reirden to be in!
Thanks Rich

[/size][size=78%]Rush  [/size]
   

[PUCKNRUSH]

Rush - good analysis. 


I'm actually starting to warm to GMBM.  He has made some good moves and I think he has a knack for the blueliners.  For instance, I hated giving up Bowey in the Jensen deal, but Ziggy has developed way more than Bowey who was scratched by the worst team in the league the other night.  His Nisky-for-Gudas deal is looking great as well.  We all saw Nisky making more and more stupid mistakes in the last couple of year and Gudas has played well.


It looks like part of out dilemma on the extra players is going to be solved by Stephensons departure soon. It will be interesting to see if we get anything for him or just lose him through waivers.  I had high hopes for him and at one point thought he could be the next Beagle, but he just doesn't have the desire.  He has the skills, just not the competitive drive.

It took a while Beags, after that Shattenkirk fiasco, to start warming up to GMBM, for me!


Probably around the time we got Kempny, (which I still believe GMBM picked up, mainly to carry out the heavier defensive responsibilities, that our beloved Carlson couldnt handle),😁 who is an excellent fit for our D strategy, was when I started to reconsider my take on GMBM.


 Since then,  through much of the second-guessing about him, GMBM has proven to have begun to successfully fill, several of the big voids that have plagued our team over the years, especially on defense!!


 To be honest, it’s starting to look like some of the negative aspects of that old “Kettler culture“, we used to talk about, are starting to erode away as well!!  Either by design or by accident, but nonetheless he deserves much of the credit for that, given that this newer team attitude, we’ve been witness to this year,  continues!!👍


As far as Nisky, well, i’ve always really liked him… A lot!
I think Nisky is just one of those guys that, when he ages, his overall performance dwindles off more quickly than some other guys!!  Hey, there are a lot of players in the NHL, some of them age well and some of them do not!
 No honest assessment of his total play last year,  would even come close to claiming he played like the Matt Niskanen, we had come to know and love!!  Even Niskanen would say so himself!  I think GMBM saw the writing on the wall, and with a little luck, in timing, made a fairly brave and intelligent decision for the Capitals team he manages!!  No doubt he made a great decision, period!


 Not really upset about the Stephenson trade,  to be honest.  Like you, Beags, I was much higher on him before, but that has slowly been dwindling since last year. And I agree with you about his mediocre attitude.  It’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t seem to match as much where the team is today!!  He’s become sort of the outsider name that you don’t hear about too much, anymore.....Until today!!😁


 It’s not that I dislike Stephenson. I like the guy!  But we’ve got some young fellas on this team that are HUNGRY!  Who I guess, have caused Stephenson to be given a little wake up call!!!


 MOVIN’ FORWARD BOYS!!!👍👍😁


Rush

[richkrt99]

Rush,  I agree with you on Djoos.  I have never really been against him and admit he plays very well for his size and uses his smarts and other skills to the best of his ability.  His level of play is decent, but hindered by his size.  Nothing he can do about it, but try hard which I believe he does.  He is just simply too small to be a great D man in today's NHL.  He can't out muscle guys when he needs to.  His positioning and stick work are good, as well as his puck moving, so he can survive in most situations and can be a help to moving the puck up.  I don't recall frequently yelling at the TV because Djoos made some bonehead (Orlov-esque) play up the middle and turned the puck over for an easy great scoring chance.  His play is pretty sound.  He just isn't big enough.
I think his struggles are in a game where the opponent has a good forecheck and lots of grit.  He can't go in the corners and muck it up well.  Playoff series always tighten up and roughen up and I don't think Djoos thrives well in that situation.  I wonder if he might do better in one of the Euro leagues with bigger ice.


and I fear he will get caught in the corner someday with a bone crushing hit from a guy like Willy or Ovie and it will simply break him in half and end his career.


I always kind of liked Ziggs.  He has made good on his opportunity.  You can never really tell how a young guy will perform.  Typically I think the Caps are very conservative with letting younger guys (especially D) get decent NHL playing time and it hinders their growth.  Caps have mostly had a pretty good roster so young guys didn't get as much a chance as they might on other weaker clubs.  Ziggs timing was just right...Caps were short on D last couple seasons and Caps were forced to rely on one of the younger guys and then Djoos salary made some difference this year so Ziggs got more opportunity and he took advantage by stepping up.  I think his game has improved because of the playing experience, so that's good on him and coaching - they both made the best of the opportunity.


As much as we doo-doo on Rierden, his staff does pretty well with coaching the young guys.  I think some of the youthful exuberance and drive is what was missing in years past.  You need some guys fighting for jobs and who just want to play.  It's nice to have super stars, but it's also nice to see some young guys with drive and the opportunity to show it.


SOrry...turned into another rant.  Must be catching up from my Caps board hiatus of trytophan and carb comas

[4 Caps]

Always appreciative of your “inside scoops”, from practice, 4Caps!
 From what you’ve reported, it looks like they’re also keeping Eller at 2nd line center.  I’m guessing until Backstrom returns.
 At whatever point Nicky returns, I assume he’ll go back up the first line, and Kuzy will drop to second line with Vrana.
 I like Eller and Hagelin together on 3rd line! Paired with Leipsic or Hathaway, as either of those combinations, although not the heaviest production guys, ALL of them possess never-quit quickness, and can frustrate opponents in good measure,  ESPECIALLY during those fragile few seconds when, just prior to blue line entrance, into our zone, and our opponent is just beginning to try and set something up!!  That’s one of the big strenghts for our healthy third line!!
Thanks for the update!

Rush, I don’t think when Backstrom returns he will go back on the top line.  If you recall, before Backstrom got hurt Rierden had flipped Backstrom and Kuznetsov and I assume when he comes back he will be between Vrana and Oshie. 

Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

You’re right 4caps. I had forgot that Rierden had recently flipped Backy and Kuzy before Backy got hurt.
Part of me may be a bit sentimental about the old Ovi/Backy line!


I guess it’s kind a hard to know whether Kuzy had earned the #1 line spot, or Rierden may have moved Backy down to help maximize Vrana.


Rush

[PUCKNRUSH]

Rich, definitely agree that Djoos’ value tends to drop at playoff time.


Recently, I’ve moved from crapping on Rierden so much. It’s not that Rierden is doing anything different, but more that I’ve had to RELUCTANTLY, change my perspective on today’s NHL.
I either stay grumpy about how soft the NHL has become, in a quick nutshell, and hold fast to my sentiments, OR, adapt, so that I can minimize my frustrations while watching, and continue to enjoy the game.
Obviously, I’ve moved to the latter!😤😤😁
It is from this backdrop that I can truly say Rierden does an excellent job, especially when you take it in the context of what NEEDS to be done in the NHL today to be a successful head coach!! Rierden is hitting on ALL cylinders!


Rush

[richkrt99]

I was never really "down" on Reirden, but was never his supporter either.  I thought he maybe deserved a chance at a head coaching job, but that he would fall short.  I also really thought the Caps should go for a real superstar head coach and go for Joel Qunnie....IF he would consider the job.  (way back when he was available)


Hard to tell with his first year but he had decent success but fell short in the playoffs.  I really thought the Caps just did look spent so not sure we can hang that on the coach.




I do think Reirden manages this team pretty well, and that's what a head coach really does, is MANAGE the assets you have, not so much coaching.  It certainly takes a different chemistry and style for each group, but it seems to be working now.  I do also think he may be too soft when the going gets tougher.  Easy to be a nice guy when the team is winning and in 1st place.


Ultimately, I guess his success will be measured by the teams performance.  If that's the bar, I'd say he gets an A right now.  Time will tell.


GO CAPS

[PUCKNRUSH]

I was never really "down" on Reirden, but was never his supporter either.  I thought he maybe deserved a chance at a head coaching job, but that he would fall short.  I also really thought the Caps should go for a real superstar head coach and go for Joel Qunnie....IF he would consider the job.  (way back when he was available)


Hard to tell with his first year but he had decent success but fell short in the playoffs.  I really thought the Caps just did look spent so not sure we can hang that on the coach.




I do think Reirden manages this team pretty well, and that's what a head coach really does, is MANAGE the assets you have, not so much coaching.  It certainly takes a different chemistry and style for each group, but it seems to be working now.  I do also think he may be too soft when the going gets tougher.  Easy to be a nice guy when the team is winning and in 1st place.


Ultimately, I guess his success will be measured by the teams performance.  If that's the bar, I'd say he gets an A right now.  Time will tell.


GO CAPS

Well said!


At the start of his 1st year, I only had my “suspicions” that Rierden would be too lenient and soft.
I certainly didn’t have much to go on, and actually, a good bit of my pre-opinion was based on the fact that our fave Dman, Carlson, had spoken a little TOO favorably, about liking Rierdens’ “pro player” style of coaching! (Damn if THAT doesn’t require a little interpretation)!😂🤣


So I considered what would motivate Carly to give such SPECIFIC accolades, on Rierden, when, almost ALWAYS, his comments are the most boring, NON-DETAILED, predictable, and BLAND, “insights”, (LMFAO), to ever come from our locker room, on any other topic!!😂🤣😂


Since my claim has always been that Carlson, CLEVERLY CHOOSES, to voluntarily NOT involve himself in the grittier, more physical aspects, REQUIRED for GOOD defensive play, AND I believe, he then wants to exist in a world, where his WEAK-ASS defensive skills, are COMPLETELY overlooked, by ALL, as long as his production numbers are HIGH!!


I then figure, OF COURSE, the reason Carlson would throw out, uncharacteristically detailed compliments, at Rierden, would be BECAUSE Carlson has worked a long time with Rierden, as the assistant coach, and Carlson KNOWS, Rierden will overlook his D abilities, in lieu of good production!!
Carlson’s career dream, comes true!!! (Make me frickin’, puke)🤮
(Sorry for the long interpretation of “Carly-English”)😂


Anyway, after rightfully giving Rierden a chance in the first year, it turns out my suspicions on Rierden were right!!
 So admittedly, for a while there at the start of his 2nd season, the coach was in my shit tank!


But something happened in this pre season....Rierden stated that he was specifically targeting Carlson for work at practice, on improving his OFFENSIVE SKILLS!! (Yes, offensive skills)!
Man, if I didn’t like Rierden, going into the start of this season, that just put me over the wall with frustration about him!!


Fast forward to present day.  This was part of the semi-epiphany, that I’ve recently had about accepting the new hockey!
Carlsons’ offensive skills, have vastly improved,  and hell, maybe he’s even gained a half a step of quickness as a result, overall!! Ok, so Carly is still a big PUSSY, ...BUT...
He is a very offensively productive, big PUSSY,  and is now a very valuable attribute to the team!!


As Dwight Yoakum said in the old movie “Slingblade”.....”Well, Fuck Me!!😂🤣😂


Anyway you slice it, THAT, is excellent coaching!!  Especially for today’s NHL!!


Rush